Saturday, 1 March 2014

Canada Is About to Waste Serious Money on Seal Hunts

Newfoundland and Labrador will be wasting some serious cash
to fund a pro-sealing campaign just in time for an appeal of the World Trade
Organization’s (WTO) decision to uphold the European Union’s (EU) ban on seal
products.

In 2010, the EU enacted a ban on seal
products, including fur, meat and blubber, with exceptions for Inuit and other
indigenous communities and for products that were derived for non-commercial
purposes as a result of managing marine resources.

In November, the WTO ruled to uphold the EU’s ban,
citing “public moral concerns” over the welfare of seals. The cruelty that
is inherent in this industry has been a well documented source of global
outrage. The ruling was a huge victory, but not just for seals. As the International
Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) pointed out at the time the WTO’s recognition of
our right to oppose and reject products that we believe are cruel and
unsustainable was a victory in and of itself.

Canada, which relies on exports to keep the hunts going,
didn’t really see it that way. Both Canada and Norway formally appealed the
WTO’s ruling, maintaining that these hunts are humane and well regulated. Even
with pelt prices dropping and a global market that’s disappearing with product
bans already in place in the U.S., Mexico, Russia and Taiwan, the government
continues to try to support the brutal slaughter of thousands of baby seals
every year.

Now, Newfoundland and Labrador will be spending more money
to fund an awareness campaign that is supposed to dispel myths being spread
about the industry. Fisheries Minister Keith Hutchings said the province will
give $60,000 to the Seals and Sealing Network, a pro-hunting group that will
lead the campaign.

Wake up Canada and Norway! You are still trying to justify
the brutal slaughter of thousands of baby seals every year instead of helping
fishermen transition into other jobs.

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Overview

Why are the Japanese killing protected sperm whales???

From the high seas off New Zealand to the intricate demands in the city of Tokyo, The Minke Connection is a spellbinding saga. Matching business versus environmentalism, big organizations versus small and expectation versus experience.

Greenpeace discover that the Japanese research whaling fleet are killing more than the Minke whale. They send American born Canadian John Daroux, lecturer and adventurer, and Carrie Ardley, whale researcher, to investigate. Boarding the factory ship in mid ocean, John finds irrefutable evidence, almost loses his life and becomes Carrie’s lover. Together, John and Carrie go to Tokyo where they evade being poisoned, survive being frozen alive and endure being followed by the dreaded yakusa. The arrival of Greenpeace chief, Mark Stafford, and his beautiful associate, Petra van de Roer, initiates a counter attack that requires John and Carrie to act as bait. Desperate measures are called for as they endeavor to outwit Takeshi Fujiwara, leader of the cult, League of Blood. John and Carrie are captured and tortured. Time is critical. John Daroux must use all his wits and knowledge to save the Sperm whales and himself. Can they succeed?

John Daroux……New Age intellectual, martial arts exponent and Reki master, he takes on the project unprepared for the tests he will experience. While he can handle the threats and challenges from the Japanese, can he handle the passion aroused by Carrie Ardley?

Carrie Ardley……young, attractive Greenpeace technician, committed to saving whales, takes on this task as an adventure. Fiercely attracted to John Daroux, she suffers torture and finds that he puts the project above her well being. Can she ever forgive him?

Mark Stafford……competent, urbane chief of Greenpeace, he takes on his biggest challenge when he confronts the League of Blood and tries to unravel the reason why the giant trading company, Mosaka Corporation, is killing the protected Sperm whales. Can he overcome the threats?

Takeshi Fujiwara……one of Japan’s most powerful businessmen, and chairman of Mosaka Corporation, he controls the lives of many. He holds a secret that dates back many centuries and the time for action is now. Can he succeed or will the persistent efforts of the foreign controlled environmental “do-gooder” Greenpeace upset his carefully prepared plans?